New Delhi: Amid demands by the Samajwadi Party for his dismissal from the government, Congress on Monday pulled up Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma for his remarks against Mulayam Singh Yadav.

"In politics everyone should observe restraint in use of language. Mulayam Singh Yadav is the head of the supporting party to the government. Verma is a minister in that government," Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters here.

He said the party has taken the matter seriously. Dwivedi's comments came as the controversial remarks of Verma paralyzed proceedings in Parliament on Monday. Verma found himself in the midst of a fresh controversy over his remarks that Mulayam Singh Yadav allegedly has "terrorist links". Samajwadi Party members disrupted the Lok Sabha demanding his removal from the Cabinet.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for nearly two hours following the uproar with SP members storming the Well demanding an apology by the Minister and his removal from the Cabinet. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Shailendra Kumar (SP) demanded that Verma should immediately tender an apology for his alleged remark that all Muslims were terrorists.

Verma had immediately clarified that he had not made any such statement and so there was no question of an apology. Later talking to reporters outside Parliament House, Verma said he stood by his statement against the SP leader.

He also ruled out stepping down following Mulayam's demand, asking "Has he made me the Minister?"

REACTIONS

How can we forget (1965 war hero) Abdul Hamid and our former President Abdul Kalam? How can we forget their contributions in national development as also in securing our borders? How can he (Verma) say that Muslims are terrorists? He should apologise: Mulayam Singh Yadav

I wish to say the honourable member is not an ordinary member. He is the leader of his party. His stature and his place is not like an ordinary member. I respect the feeling. The observation that has been made, I regret. I would only like to say such allegations, observations. It is not the question of whether you belong to ruling party or opposition ...we condemn this...all of us condemn this: Kamal Nath

In politics everyone should observe restraint in use of language. Mulayam Singh Yadav is the head of the supporting party to the government. Verma is a minister in that government: Janardan Dwivedi

Beni Prasad Verma's heart it hollow. Should we presume that Congress' mind has also become hollow ? We demand an apology for remarks alleging that Yadav had ‘terrorist links’: Naresh Agarwal

The language that he (Verma) used is regrettable and condemnable. If the SP has any self-respect left, it should withdraw support to the Congress-led government: Ravi Shankar Prasad said.